Making our roads safer
Apsley Road, between Whiteladies and Pembroke Roads, has a problem with rat-running and speeding. Residents successfully bid for Community Infrastructure Levy funding a few years ago to tackle this. We’ve been pushing for something to happen ever since and so we’re delighted to report that work will start soon. The project should be completed over the next year.
Last month, we arranged a meeting with the residents’ group and the project team so that some residents could view and comment on the initial design. Ideas included speed cushions, one-way sections, wider pavements and pedestrian crossing points in certain locations. Formal public consultation is set to begin shortly.
Upper Belgrave Road
After many of you wrote to us about the dangers of speeding on Upper Belgrave Road, we are pleased to say that it is one of the roads being formally considered for the 20 mph limit. We had already raised this at Area 3 committee last year. As we write, the transport and connectivity committee was about to review analysis of 100 roads with a 30 miles per hour speed limit, including Upper Belgrave Road. It will consider evidence that shows lower speeds would significantly improve safety on these roads across the city, ahead of proposals for potential 20mph limits to be published for public consultation. Serena is to speak at the committee.
Supporting local business
Along with Cotham ward councillors Guy Poultney and Mohamed Makawi, we supported local restaurant Bravas on Cotham Hill in its campaign to keep its outside seating structure.
After more than five years of successful operation of the outside seating and 1,200 public comments in support of the planning application, we are pleased that this popular, independent restaurant has now got its planning permission.
As local ward councillors, we liaised with officers to seek solutions and spoke in support of the application at planning committee.
The seating area is essential for the future of this restaurant and for protecting local jobs. It also contributes to the vibrancy of the pedestrianised Cotham Hill. This stretch of street recently appeared in Time Out, celebrating the area as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the country.
We are proud to support local businesses and will continue working to ensure our neighbourhood remains vibrant and welcoming for everyone.
St Josephs change of use
We have recently been made aware of plans to convert St Josephs, a former care home on Cotham Hill, into 131 student studios. A planning application for change of use is expected to be submitted to the council shortly. We have asked local residents and businesses for their views and, as we write, are planning to meet the applicants. If you have views on these plans, please do get in touch with us.
Cross-pavement gully EV charging trial
If you are a household without off street parking, you can now express your interest in taking part in a citywide trial run by the council to test a new way to charge an electric vehicle (EV) at home.
Beginning in the summer, the trial will test a ‘cross pavement gully’ solution. These are narrow channels installed in the pavement that allow a charging cable to run safely from a home charge point to an EV parked on the street. The household would need to cover the cost of installing the channel, but the council would licence the work on the pavement and organise them.
The aim is to understand whether this approach can make home charging possible without creating trip hazards, obstructing the pavement, or impacting other pavement users.
Find out more by going to the Bristol City Leap web page Cross-Pavement Gully Charging Trial – Expression of Interest – Bristol City Leap.
Ward surgeries
We won’t be holding an April ward surgery as the date falls on the Good Friday bank holiday. We are also reviewing arrangements for future surgeries and will be back in touch with more details.
Contact us
Serena Ralston: cllr.serena.ralston@bristol.gov.uk
George Calascione: cllr.george.calascione@bristol.gov.uk